Disk cultivator



May 3 1927.

`H. F. TOWNER DISK CULTIVATOR Filed June 29, 1926 -'Shets-Sheet l Illlsw abbr www H. F. TOWNER DISK CULTIVATOR May 3, 1927. 7 1,627,356

Filed June 29. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 3,1927. 1,627,356

H. 'F'. TOWNER DISK CULTIVAT'OR Filed June 29, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented May 3, 1927.

HEBER F. TOWNER, OF SANTA. ANA, CALIFORNIA.

msx cULrIvAron..

Application led .Tune 29, 1926. Serial No. 119,362.

`This invention relates to disk cultivators and is more particularly directed to a disk cultivator, including a pair of gangs of disksconnected in tandem relation, the front, gang being connected to a tractor or similar source of draft power, and which front gang is connected to a rear gang by a single draft and working connection so positioned as to close the latter gang to automatically assume a position in which the working angle of the disks is substantially the same as the working angle of the 'disks of the rear gang.

This application is a continuation or sub-v stitute for that application heretofore liled by me, Serial No. 7,868, filedFebruary- 9, 1925, for disk harrow.

A single gang of'disks of concave convex structure cannot be used for cultivating the ground if .all of the disks are mounted-in the gang with their concave sides turned toward one end of the lgang because the throw of the ground against the concave side of the disks would cause the gang of disks to travel in a sidewise direction. For this reason, cultivators'are always provided with a plurality of gangs of disks, the disks of the separate gangs being mounted with their concaved sides opposed so that the throw of one gan/0f of disks, or one set of gangs of disks, will compensate for the throw of the other oppositely mounted gang or set of gangs.

In cultivating among trees and vegetation, it is often desirable to pull the disk cultivator close to the trees or other cultivation while the tractor remains spaced from or in a lane centrally between the trees, or the like. heretofore designed and built, such offset or side operation has been impossible without exerting a great side draft on the tractor or other draft implement, which side draft has made it impossible in most cases to properly handle the tractor, 'made turns difficult \or i1npossiblc,and greatly increased the wear on the bearings of the cultivator as well as on the tractor. Because of these difficulties, such offset manner of cultivating has pre- 'viously been highly impractical if not impossible. l

lt is an object of this invention to provide a disk cultivator having two gangs of op` positely disposed disks, one of whlch gangs is positioned ahead of the other and which gangs of disks are connected by a sipgle draft or working connection.

Heretofore, with disk cultivators as,

Another object of this invention is to pro'-k vidc a disk cultivatorin which the sin le draft or working connection between 51e forward and rearward gangs is positioned from the center substantially to one end of the respective gangs.l

Another object of this invention is to provide a disk cultivator composed of a pair of gangs of disks, one forward and one rearward gang, of ,vvhichi'the forward gang only is directly connected to the tractor, and which r gangs are so connected together in working relation lat a single p oint that on variation of the connection from the forward gang to the tractor to adjust the working angle of the forward gang, the forward gang will automatically assume a similar working position. v

Another object of this invention is to pro'- vide a disk cultivator having a pair of gangs of disks so connected together at a single working and draft connection, that the same may be drawn to one side of thev tractor or like source of draft power with- 8 out imposing upon the tractor or like source `of draft power any material` -side draft in order that the dlsk cultivators may be operated under trees or closeto fences, vegetation, ditches, or the like, without necessitating the driving of the tractor or like source of draft power under trees or close toditches, fences, vegetation, etc. Y

Another object of this invention is to provide a disk cultivator having a pair of gangs of disks connected in tandem relation and so connected together that thesame may bey drawn to the extreme side of a tractor witlil out imposing upon the tractor any material side draft which would prevent the free manipulation, turning, or the like, of Athe tractor. v A

Another object ofthis invention is to pro\ vide a disk cultivator having a lurality of gangs, in which cultivator the isks of one gang are positively. offset from the disks of the other so that the disks of the respec tive gangs will cultivate independent rows or furrows in the ground.` f

Another object of this invention is to provide a disk cultivator having a plurality of gangs of disks, in which the disks of one gang are positively offset from the disks of thel other gang, and which positive odset of the disks of one gang may -be varied or regulated in relation to the disks ofthe other gang to accommodate for desired conditions asl gangs and at a point:

vthe tractor may i ooject of this invention t cultirator haring disks connected in ta-nr ans oit a eoinpling rertiezn 3 i the rear gang will eultiifatie as innen d the t'orvard and so that he r nillv operate. to level 't i iat the weightv ot one gral tir in cultivating the grouinln J@another obj-ect ot' this invention is to prin vide disk cultvator having a torwa d ejangr of dislrsfand rearward gang ot disks. and which gangs oit disks are connected by a single working and dra-tt connection, and in which oultivator the disks in the rearward gang are mounted to throw the soil 'toward the single and'working drat't connection and the disks of the forward gang,v are mounted to throw the soil away trono the single workint or draft connection.

t lther objects and advantages ot this invention will loe a parent troni the following' detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the aecoinpanying drawings, l in which d rawinle's:

Figure l is an isometric View illustrating a disk harrow embodied in this invention, and illustrating. the same as connected with a tractor and as offset from the line ot' travel ot the tractor to cultivate under a row ot trees.

Figure 2 is a top plan View thereof.

lioure 3 is an edge elevation partly in u l Vertical mid-section.

V.attachment embodied in this invention.

Figure 5 is a front ele 1ationoit the baekup attachment illustrated in Figure 4.

li have discovered that by eonn'eetingl` a pair of gangs of disks, one ot whieh is position'ed in advance-ot the other at a pivot. point approximately cent-rally loeated lietWeen theaxes ot the disks otE the respective at 'or beyond the ends or end disks ot' the respective nangmfthat ll am enabled to provide a disk barrow which can be drawn from the side ot' a tractor. Without imposing any material side draft upon the, said tractor and lhatin thi=V position the cultivator may be drawn under trees close 'to the trunks th-ereot` or elose to Vegetation, ditches fences or the like, while he maintained spaced or away trom the said trees, vegetation, tonces,

Vditches or the like, and that when so connested, the tractor may be freely inanipw embedn ted in strates t. 'foA Vhe traine in any sui o 1 c) 1W" x nes l and 4 colin., i, i i arward bars l" held in :gp

eans ot a plurality of end inemheiw f" terinediate braces -Weight' boxes channel iron o' any suitable c in are mounted upon the mein Y oi; ine forward gang, and the member` t,

the rearward gang and are adapted 'lo "weights so as to hold th i workingli` engagement with tht A e' the t u'med Means are provided tor conneetinh therein; may be connected to and '-awn l and tramo 2 so that the harrow it( from a tractor in an offside positionl` as illustrated in Figure l, without imposing upon the tractor any material side draft'j which means are preferably ot the lollowinn construction t Secured to one end oit the bar ot the Ytaine "l isa plate l1, whieh plate It extendsI beyond the end ot the bar i and tlu` end or' the outendisk 3 and secured within a bit'urcated bracket itil, which bil'ureated bracket lll is seoured to the correspoinline1 end ot the bar 6 by means ot bolts tti. which bolts t6 are adapted to pass through the bores l2 toi-ined in the members 6, whieh bores l2 are spaced along' the ends ot the members 6 so as to permit a regulation ot' the position ot' the bitureated bracket lil so that the spacingI ot' the disk of the rearward traine 2 may b-e regulated in relation to the position ot the disks 3 ot the 'forward trame l. This regulation ot the position ol' the disks permits the disks 3 to be positioned to follow certain*furrow lilies. dependingr upon the condition ot the soil and cultivation desired and so as to maintain the disks oi the rear ganey from following in the turrow formed by the disks 3 ot the forward tlllt'- Ilhe liifureate-d bracket 1l is illustrated as being formed of a pair ot' bars 13. 'l'he platell is secured to the bit'ureated bracket l-t at. the pin l5 so that the frames t and .Q pirot in a horizontal plane but are .'ertieally rigidly connected. rll`he pin lo is held in platee by means ot' nuts 17 and a grease cup t3 is secured to the pin 15 for lubricating: this pivotal connection.

ltleans are provided [tor adjustably ennneeting` the forward traine l to the tractor or other source of draft' power so as to per- 'mit regulation of the cutting position and angle of cutting of the disks 3 and the offset position of the disk harrow relative to the tractor, which means may comprise bars 19 and 20 which are pivotally connected at pinsl 21 to links 22, which links 22 are pivotally connectedat pins 23 yto plates 24 which are secured to the forward outer edges of the frame 1. The bar 20 is formed of two sections, 2,0a and 20, which are adjustably con- `nected together by means of bolts 25 which are passed through any pair of a series of holes 26 formed in the sections 20St and 20",\ respectively, so as to regulate the length thereof. The regulation of the length o1' extent ofythe bar 20 regulates .the point at which the clevis 27, which is formed at the end of the blade`19, isfsecured'to the draft pin of the tractor 28 so as to regulate the position or line of draft from the tractor rela-tive to the disk harrow, thereby regulating the' amount of offset or side position rel? ative to the tractor in which the disk harrow u is operated.

I have discovered that under-normal op' eration the rear frame 2 will assumo the same angle with the line of progression of the harrow that is `assumed or adjusted to y the front Vframe and that theI interior of this working offthe rear frame 2 is entirely through the pin 15 and the location theftof, and further that the further out from frame ,38 of the rear'fraine 2, is a back-up bar 39 so as to lockthe-rear frame 2 relativei to the forward frame 1 when it is desired to back the implement.

Means are provided for holding` thefbacl up bar 39 down so that the pin 40 will be engaged in the proper notch 41 formed therein, which means preferably comprise a rollei-.42 which is pivotally mounted-on a pin 43 in a yoke 44 which isfpivotally secured to the bifurcated bracket at a pin 45.

A tension spring 46 is secured at one end to the yoke 44 and at its opposite end to the pin 4() which is securect tothe -bifurcated bracket 33, the spring 46 acting to yieldably urge the roller 42 in engagement with .the upper edge 48 of the hold-down bar 39 'i so as to hold the bar 39 down against the pin 40.

Means are provided for releasing the backup bar 39 from the pin 40 when it is desired to angle the respective gangs of the disks after the 'same have been transported to the drsired point of use, which' means preferably' comprise a yoke 49 which is pivotally secured to the bifurcated bracket at the in the ends of the disk gangs that the pivot 40 and which carries a roller 50 jouriia ed formed by the pin 15 is located the more perfect will be the control of the working of the disks. v

It is also essential that the disks 3 of the rear -gang be mounted with their concave sides turned toward the pin 15 and that the disks 3 of the forward gang be mounted with their concave sides away from the pin 15. With this arrangement of parts, the side-thrust of the ground against the concave sides of the disks produces a torque 'at the vpin 15l which maintains the gangs of disks in their proper working rela-tion without the use of auxiliary holding devices.

In order to permit the backing of the disk harrow, and in order toV permit the regula-k tion of the. angle of the disks after the same have been locked together so as to permit'. .the backing thereof, I have herein illustrated apreferred form of back-up attachment which is of the following construction:

Mounted on the forward frame member 29 of the forward frame 1- is a bracket 31, which bracket 31 -is secured 'to the vframe member 9 in `any suitable-way, suchas is illustrated at 32. A'bifurcated bracket 33v is pivotally supported between the bracket 31 and the frame member 29 by means of pins34 which extend from the opposite zends of the bifureatedbracket 33. Pivotally secured at a pin 35 which is secured to the.- plate 36 and which is secured to the for# ward frame member 37 of the hold-down v49 has a right angle extending' bar 52iwhich extends downwardly therefrom to a point below the frames land 2 of the respective e gangs and is` secured at its lower end to a iexible actuating membery 53, whichiiexible l actuating member' may be a rope, cable or the like as desired and which extends from the disk harrow to the seat of the tractor 28;

The actuating mechanism provided by the point near the drivers arin52, yoke 49--and roller 50 are-so-constructed thaty the same may be reversed on the pin 40, either as illustrated in full or dotted lines in Figure 4. The reversible feature, therefore, is particularly desirable as when cultivating under orange trees, the arm 52 must extend downward to avoid the branches of the trees, and when cultivating plants, such as cantaloups. the arm 52`mustextend upward to avoid catching in the plants.

` Incrder to decrease wear. on the'bearings 5 within Awhich the shaft-s4 are journaled, to

which the disks 3 are secured, particularly upon turning of the disk harrow, and in order'to render the manipulaion of the disk .hai-row easier upon turns andthe like, I have discovered that it is advantageous-tojform i the shafts 4 of eachv of the {gangs of the disk harr-c-w in two sections 4a a-nd4b so thaton furnmg ofthe dlsk harro'W, that is, outerv from the "point vof turning, it will not be `required to rotate at the saine speed as the disk 3 upon the inner side of the disk barrow, but will be permitted to rotate at. the speed required 'to consummate such ay turn. This eliminates the necessity of the disks of one section of the shaft turning during the mak ing of a curve at the same rate of speed as the disks upon the other section of the shafts and thereby eliminates the tendency of 'the disks carried in the respective gangs from digging in during the turning of the disk barrow and insures more easy and efficient operation of the gangs of the disks barrow and greatly leng yliens the life hereof.

Disk harrows, as now connnonly constructi, are provided with front and rear weight ames to receive weights to hold the same engagement with the ground. rlhese hold- )wn rames are; in 'the disk barrow as now f :onnnonly in use formed at the rear c* e, i frames. l. naw disco` ered.

iwn frame 38 of the rca r fran'ie Q is for" he forward end thereof so that (he i' ga are held down upon their c than npon their reari irc* endst rlfhis being due particularly 'to ,L Y

f i@ cndency of a disk barrow whichis drawn from the forward end in tilting upward at that end and so that the positioning of the. load at the rear thereof would only accentuate this tilting action while the limiting of the load at the forward end operates the tilting tendency created by the draft of the frame at the Vforward end and insures a much more even and better operation. The hold-down frame 30 of the forward frame l is preferably formed at the rear thereof.

Having fully described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited tothe exact details herein set forth, whichlnmy obviously be Varied without departing from the spirit of Iny invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In a single tandem disk barrow, the combination of a. forward gang of disks,' a rearward gang of disks. means for pivotally connecting the rear gang of disks to the forward gang of disks at one end, the pivot point being located at a point substantially midway between the. disk shafts mounted in` the respective frames. and at a point beyond the ends of the end disks carried by the respective shafts when the frames are parallel.

'e ylent operation is had if the hof the front and rear gangs of disks one end of the said .gangs and at a point substantially midway between the said l d. In a single tandem disk barrow, the combination of a front gang of disks, a rear TG gang of disks, the disks of the forward being concaved in one direction, the disks of the rearward gang being concaved in the opposite direction, means for pivotally connecting the front and rear gangs at a. point beyond 'the center of the end disks of the said gangs when the said s parallel n *l said ga tmrard at the end or oe which the disks carried by concared.

ally conn A L s, point heyono. the cente,` disks of the said gangs when the i fs e parallel, said'nieans con A "ca rigid hi the pivot 'po s yond e ends of the dis f the gangs when the (l. In a single tandem combination of a front gz r disks, and i.. rear gang of disks, means tor pivotally connecting the front and rear gangs of disks a point beyond the center of the end disks at one end of the gangs when the gangs are parallel.

7. In a single tandem disk barrow, the combination of a front gang of concaved disks, a rear gang of concaved disks, means for connecting'the gangs of disks together at oneend at a single pivot, which pivot is located substantially on the bisector of the angle between the axes of the disks of the said gangs andl near the end of the said gangs, the disks of the rear gang being concaved toward. the pivot point and the disks of thev forward gang being concaved away from the pivot point.

8. In a single tandem disk harrow, the

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combination of a front gang of concaved disks, a rear gang of concaved disks, means for horizontally pivotally connecting the gang of disks together at a single pivot so that the gangs are substantially vertically rigidly connected, the said pivot being located substantially on the bisector of the angle bet reen the axes of the saidY gangs when the gangs are angled at a point near one end of the said gangs, the disks of the rear gang being coneaved toward the pivot ofthe disks and the forward gangs being concaved away from the pivot.

9. In a single tandem disk barrow, the

- combination of a forward frame, a gangpf concaved disks mounted within the frame, a rear frame, a gang of concaved disks mounted within the rear frame,l means for pivotally connecting the said frames at a ihorizontalpivot, said pivot beingv located substantially on v the bisector of the angles betweenthe axes of the said gangs when the same are angled, the disks of the rear frame being mounted within the said frame with their concaved sides turned toward the said pivot and the disks of the rearward gang being mounted with their concave sides away from the said pivot.. 1

10. In a singletandem disk har-row, the

. combination of a front frame and a rear frame, means for vertically rigidly connecting the said`frames at one end at a liorizontal pivot located substantially midway between the axes of the disks carried by the said frames,` meansfor connecting the front frame to a. draftrimplemefnt, and means for varying` the draft connection so as to cause the implement to be drawn to one side and to the rear of thedraft implement and so as to cause the forward frame to be angled relativeto Ythe lineif draft of the implement, whereby the rearward frame will assume a complementary working angle.

11. In a single tandem 'disk harrow, the* combination of a front frame, a rear frame, a plurality of concaved disks mounted-in each frame, means for vertically rigidly connecting` the said frames together at a horizonte pivot, and means; including a plate secured to one corner of one of said frames and adapted to it within a bifurcated bracket secured to the corresponding' adjacent corner of theV other of said frames,

and a pin passing through said bifurcated bracket andl plate to pivotally connect the said frames together, the said. pin being located substantially midway" betweenV the axes of the disks carried by the said frame Vand at a point beyond the' ends of the\said frames ,when thesame arev parallel. A

12. In a tandem disk harrow, the combination of a front frame, a rear frame, a

plurality of conoaved disks mounted in each frame, means for vertically .rigidly coni necting the said frames together at aphorizontal pivot, said means including a plate adjustably secured to the end section of one of said frames, a bifurcated bracket secured to :the adjacent end section of the opposite of the said frames, and a pin ivotally secured at said plate within the sai bracket.

'13. In' a single tandem disk harrow, the

combination lof a front frame, a-rear frame,

, a gang of disks mounted within each frame,

- a means for verticall said frame at their ends at a horizontal rigidly connecting the pivot pin, said means including a plate secured to one end section of one of said frames, a bifurcatedlbracket ,secured to the other of said 'frames into which the said plateits, and a pivot pin passing through said plate and sald bracket, said plvot pin being located substantially on the bisector of the `angle formed between the axes or gangs of disks when the same are angled to. a working position and said pin being near `the end of the said gang.

14. In a single tandem disk barrow, the

combination of a forward gang of disks, a rearward gang of disks, means for pivotally connecting the front and rear gangs of disks at one end thereof aind at a point beyond the ends of the said gangs when the Agangs are parallel and at a point substantogether at a single draft connection, a stag and back-up -,bar pivotally connected to eac of said angs between the ends thereof, and

Ameans for releasing the stay and back-up bar connection to one of said gangs.

17. A disk harrowcomprising two gangs only in tandem relation, a draft connection between the forward gang, and the rear-` ward gang, and a stay and back-.up bar pivotally connectedto each of said gangs be l tween the ends thereof.

18. A harrow comprising two gangs only in tandem relation, means for pivotally connecting the said gangs together at one end at a single pivot, a stay andv back-up bar,

bar to the rear gang at a point between the ends thereof, and means for adjustablysecuring the bar to the forward gang at a point between the ends thereof.

means for pivotally connecting the back-up' 19. A harrow comprising two gangs only in tandem` relation, means for pivotally connecting .the said gangs together at one end at a single ivot point., a stay and back-up bar, means or pivotally connecting the backl up bar to the rear gang, means for pivotally securin the bar to the front gang, and, `means for re easing the latter securing means.

20. A barrow comprising two gangs only in tandem elation, means for pivotallyconnecting the gangs together at one end at a 7 singlepivot, a stay and back-up bar, `*means for pivotally securing the back-up bar to the rear gang, and means for slidably and piv'- otally securing the back-up bar to the front gang- 21. A harrow'comprising twogangs only in tandem relation, means for pivotally c0nnecting the gangsy together Vat one end at a. pivot, a stay andv back-up bar, means for pivotally connecting the back-up bar to the rem' gang, a bracket secued 0 che felwm gung, s; ofurcated. bracket pvotay supported in the bracket, and means i101 adjussbly securing the buck-up bur within the bfub ezled bracket,

A hail-ew comprising two gangs only in mmem relation9 means for pvotaiy eenneeting the gangs tegeher at one emi ai; u pvot e. stay und buck-up bur? ineens i'or comleeu; the beek-up bar te the rem' gang between e ends meteo-7 und bracket segung, and within which Lhe backup e sldzaby mounted, conm-0i Yevez pme ly suppmed my the bizlckef., und. czeh .Lens eefcween 'the em'e lever and beek-Ugg; bei 'im' homing; the gangs in nen-weeks ston ie peym breaking thereofn few compl-15mg 'two necixghe gangs ege'hel ai; @ne enf@ pivo, s stay and beck-up bei; mesf pve'ally connecting ehe bei: the gang, means 'for pix/@tally supperng ether end che baur on the freni; e 'weeu the ends thereof9 and edjusmbfee l Siep mezms carried by fthe bar..

24e A hsmow comprising two 0111"" in tandem eacon, means jim' givetsy Meeting the gangs egechex' at e :pvetj 5 and backup burg memls for Qmal; necing he bzw i0 the rea? ganga mez. l'eeasuhby wel pivemHy secml e he from gage', seid ineens incl re levee? me-h meelias between ever am?, he lzlek-up bei', and e u w bel* seemed i0 ile cel HEM DISCLAIMER 1,627,356.-IIeber F. Tofwuer, Santa Ana, May 3, 1927. Displamer led Fe B. Rapp and Truman O. Rapp; Sal

Hereby disclaim claim 17 of said patent.

Calif. DISK CULTIVATOR. Patent dated bruary 1, 1938, by the assignees, Howard y Rapp, guardian of said Truman C. Rapp.

[Oial Gazette February 22, 1938.] 

